momagri, movement for a world agricultural organization, is a think tank chaired by Christian Pèes.It brings together, managers from the agricultural world and important people from external perspectives, such as health, development, strategy and defense. Its objective is to promote regulationof agricultural markets by creating new evaluation tools, such as economic models and indicators,and by drawing up proposals for an agricultural and international food policy.

“Agriculture is more important than aeronautics”

November 16, 2015

“Agriculture is more important than aeronautics.” This announcement was made by Quebec’s Minister of Agriculture, Pierre Paradis, who once again highlights the sector’s strategic nature, nonetheless affected by inappropriate agricultural policies as well as by free trade agreements which make it vulnerable.

Pierre Paradis’ remark is based on a study by the Institute of Quebec according to which, the food industry represents 10% of Quebec’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product). It has an annual growth superior to province’s overall economy, directly or indirectly supporting half a million jobs in all regions of Quebec.

With regards agricultural exports, it is the pork sector which remains the champion, especially towards the United States. Revenues in the pork market totalled $1.3 billion in 2013, steadily growing over 10 years. Moreover, poultry, eggs and milk account for 40% of Quebec's food industry.

The dominant role of agriculture and food security as a driver for growth and power is irrefutable. Globally, agricultural and agri-food exports in 2012 represented nearly 58 billion EUR or the equivalent of three Airbus A380s a week. In France, agriculture and agri-food represent the second surplus in the trade balance after aeronautics (with 19%).

However, even though agriculture is a major strategic asset for Quebec, it seems paradoxical, as Marcel Groleau of the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) puts it, that it has also undergone significant budget cuts this year of around 25%, similar to those seen in Europe within the CAP, which saw a 13.7% decrease from 2007-2013.

The protection of farmers and consumers from exogenous and endogenous risks to this specific strategic sector still often suffers from a lack of real ambition. However, the zeal with which the Canadians have defended the supply management policy within the context of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), is indicative of the growing mobilization of agricultural powers increasingly aware of the risks of the unregulated liberalization of agricultural markets.